Chair construction



June 14, 1966 E, |EBERMAN ET AL 3,256,039

CHAIR CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 23, 1961 INVENTORS. Edgar M. Lieberman David Mas/an BY Norman Po/sky W Q r QOR 17E vs June 14, 1966 E. M. LIEBERMAN ET AL 3,256,039

CHAIR CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 23, 1961 a w INQ ENTORS.

Ed or M. Lieberman Da id Mas/an BY Norman Polsky 3,256,039 CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Edgar M. Lieberman and David Maslan, Kansas City, Mo., and Norman Polsky, Shawnee Mission, Kans., assignors to Fixtures Manufacturing Corporation, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Original application Oct. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 146,928, now Patent No. 3,144,271, dated Aug. 11, 1964. Divided and this application June 18, 1964, Ser. No. 376,076 3 Claims. (Cl. 297-239) This invention relates to chairs and, more particularly, to chairs which may be stacked for storage.

The most important object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive chair of lightweight and sturdy construction that will seat anyone included in more than ninety percent of the American adult population comfortably for long periods of time.

It is yet another important object of our invention to provide a chair which may be easily stacked with similar chairs when not in use, yet having means for preventing damage by one chair to another which might otherwise result from such stacking.

United States Patent A further object of this invention is the provision of a chair frame of simple, unitary construction, yet capable of rendering the required support for the othe components of the chair.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of a chair having seat members which may be easily removed and replaced by other seat members, thereby permitting the substitution of dilferently colored members for harmonizing with various color schemes.

This is a division of our copending application Serial No. 146,928, filed October 23, 1961, and entitled Chair Construction, now Patent No. 3,144,271, dated August 11, 1964.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View on a reduced scale of a chair made pursuant to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the chair showing details of construction;

FIG. 3. is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view showing the frame clamped between a gripper block and a flanged portion at the top of the seat member;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational view showing the disposition of astacking foot when two chairs are in, stacked relationship, parts being broken away and shown in cross section for clearness;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of one of the gauging hooks showing the leg upon which it is mounted in cross section and the proximal leg of another chair in dash lines.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, detailed cross-sectional view taken along line 6 6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of seat member;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a further modified form of seat member;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front elevational view of two chairs in stacked relationship, showing a modified stacking foot and leg guard, with the frame and seat member appearing in cross section for clearnes's;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the stacked chairs of FIG. 9 with parts thereof broken away to reveal details of construction; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevational view of a modified form of the gauging hooks showing the legs upon which they are mounted in cross section with the proximal leg of another chair also appearing in cross section.

Briefly, this invention relates to chair construction 7 wherein each chair is provided with hooks on the legs for releasably securing two chairs together, novel stacking "ice feet depending from the frame for preventing damage to another chair when the chairs are stacked when not in use, and novel frame construction permitting the use of a seat member of relatively thin sheet material Without adversely affecting the weight-bearing capacity of the chair. The peripheral margin of the seat member rests on the frame precluding the necessity for frame contact across much of the member which is engaged by the body, resulting in greater comfort from increased seat member flexibility. Additionally, novel gripper means permit the quick and easy interchangeability of seat members to allow versatility for color harmonizing purposes.

A chair broadly numerated 10, constructed pursuant to the instant invention, comprises a continuous, unitary frame 12 and four legs 14 secured to and depending therefrom. The legs 14 are arranged in pairs to present an inverted V with the upper ends of each pair of legs 14 rigidly secured to frame 12 on opposed sides of the latter and with the legs 14 of each pair diverging as the lower extremities thereof are approached.

Each leg 14 of one pair of the latter is provided with a hook 16, having one end 18 thereof secured to the leg, and an outwardly extending end portion 20 aligned with a respective leg 14 and extending outwardly therefrom. Each end portion 20 is shaped tocomplementally engage .the outer surface of a leg 14 and is aligned to be parallel with the axis of the particular leg 14 upon which the hook 16 is secured. The end portions 20 of hooks 16 are thereby in position to engage corresponding legs 114 of an adjacent, similarly constructed chair illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 5.

A seat member broadly designated 22, formed from relatively thin, flexible material such as sheet plastic or the like, is shaped to conform to the comfortable posture requirements for a chair. Thu-s, member 22 is designed to conform sufiiciently with the body of a person seated thereon to reduce contact pressures below the discomfort.- causing level. The peripheral margin of member 22 is formed to rest on frame 12 substantially along the length of the latter, and is provided with a peripheral rib formed as a downturned flange 24 overlying frame .12. The rigidity imparted by flange 24 permits the use of some what flexible and relatively thin (therefore lightweight) sheet material in the formation of member 22 and, cooperating with frame 12 provides adequate stability for the accommodation of persons within the ninety percent adult weight group to which reference has previously been made.

It is significantto point out at this juncture that the comfort of the person seated upon a chair is related to the pressure exerted upon the body by those portions of the chair which are in contact with the body. If the pressure can be kept below the pain-producing level, then the seated person will remain comfortable, even during relatively long periods'of time. If however, the pressure exceeds that at which pain is produced, the individual rapidly becomes uncomfortable from contact with the chair. The pressure at which pain is produced in most individuals is believed to be equal or near the diastolic blood pressure. For the average person, such pressure is mm. of mercury or 1.54 pounds per square inch.

The pressure exerted upon the seated body is a function of both the weight of the individual and the surface area contacted by the chair. If the weight of the person remains constant, the pressure may be reduced only by increasing the surface area of contact.

It may readily be seen that member 22 is supported byv Additionally, both the back and seat portions of member 22 are included within the support afforded by the unitary peripherally extending frame 12 to permit a blending of the back and seat portions without a rigid zone of demarcation between the two. Thus, frame 12 supports member 22 in a hammock-like fashion and the main body supporting back and seat portions are free to bend to con form to the seated posture of the individual. This greatly increases the surface area of the chair in contact with the body and reduces the pressure exerted by the chair upon the body. Further, the flexibility of member 22 yields at the points of concentration of the greatestweight to distribute the Weight uniformly over the entire area of contact. Any shifting of the weight by the individual while seated, is automatically compensated for by the flexible member 22.

A plurality of grippers 26, each comprising an elongated block 28 having a surface 30 shaped to conform to the outer surfaceof the frame member, is rigidly secured to the underside of member 22 in spaced relationship from flange 24 with surfaces 30 facing the latter. The flexibility of flange 24 allows the latter to be shifted away from block 28 far enough to receive frame 12 between surface 30 and flange 24. Further, the resiliency of member 22 urges each gripper 26 toward flange 24 and securely clamps frame 12 therebetween. Manifestly, suflicient grippers 26 are disposed around the peripheral margin of member 22 to provide adequate means for securing the latter to frame 12.

The grippers 26 serve only to secure member 22 to frame '12 and do not affect the function of chair in supporting the body. Any suitable fastening means could be used for this purpose. Flange 24 is the sole means of supporting flexible member 22 on frame 12 when chair 10 is supporting a person. Grippers 26 are not used or needed for supporting member 22 in its load-bearing function.

A stacking foot 32 is secured proximal to the upper ends of each pair of legs 14 and depends therefrom. Each foot 32 includes a somewhat flexible Web 34 extending from the zone of attachment to legs 14 and terminating in an enlarged surface 36. A pair of knobs 33 which may be integral with foot 32, extend outwardly from web 34 and are in alignment with the upper, inwardly directed portions of each leg 14 of a respective pair thereof. The knobs 33 may be telescoped within the tubular legs 14 and secure foot 32 to the latter. Indentations in legs 14 may be formed to secure the feet 32 in place, or other suitable fastening means such as screws or the like may be used.

The lower portion of foot 32 is enlarged to present a flat bottom surface 36 for foot 32. Surface 36 distributes the weight of the chairs which are stacked above a particular chair 10, over a substantial area of member 22 to prevent damage to the latter. The shape of foot 32 and its components, including knobs 33, web 34 and surface 36, is such that foot 32 may be easily molded or cast from material such as plastic or the like.

Surface 36 is adapted to be disposed to engage the upper surface of the seat member 122 of a second chair 110 when chair 10 is stacked thereon as is shown in FIG. 4. It will be noted from FIG. 4 that web 34 extends sufliciently far for foot 32 to hold frame 12 in spaced relationship from seat member 122 so that frame 12 does not engage the latter in a manner to damage the bottom chair.

The hooks 16 are advantageously disposed so that chair 10 may be readily and easily secured to an adjacent chair by simply aligning the legs 14 with the legs of an adjacent chair, while chair 10 is in a slightly elevated position, then lowering chair 10 so that hooks 16 engage the latter. Conversely, it is a simple matter with the chair of the pres ent construction to disengage the two chairs by simply elevating chair 10 slightly to release hook 16 from the legs of the second chair. By utilizing hooks 16, disposed to be alignable with the legs of an adjacent chair, applicants are able to quickly and easily effect the releasable attachment of two or more chairs without the necessity for attachment means on both sides of each chair.

When not in use, the chairs made pursuant to the principles of this invention may be safely stacked for the conservation of space while stored, with the surface 36 of stacking feet 32 engaging the seat members of the next lower chair. Web 34 is sufliciently rigid to maintain the weight-bearing portions of the frames 12 of the upper chair out of engagement with the seat member 122 of the lower chair. This prevents any possible damage resulting to the member 122 such as scarring, puncturing or the like.

The construction of the grippers 26 allows for the quick and easy removal of a respective member 22 from frame 12 and for the substitution of differently colored members 22 to allow chair 10 to be readily integrated into any color scheme. This interchangeability of members 22 provides for great versatility in the use of the chair and also allows for the replacement of any members 22 which might become damaged.

A modified form of seat member 122 is illustrated in FIG. 8. Member 122 has an enlargement 126 on the outer marginal area of peripheral flange 124 and in position to engage the outer surface of frame 12 for securing the member to the frame. It will be understood that enlargeme-nt 126 may be, but is not necessarily continuous. Extension along flange 124 far enough to adequately secure member 122 to frame 12, is sufficient.

Another form of seat member 222 is illustrated in FIG. 7. Member 222 includes an enlargement 226 on downturned flange 224 and a second enlargement 225 on the bottom surface of member 222 in position to cooperate with enlargement 226 in clamping member 222 in frame 12. The enlargement 226 may be substantially similar to enlargement 126 and it is contemplated that enlargement 225 will extend around member 222 in the same manner as enlargement 226. The enlargements 126, 225 and 226 may be molded on members 122 and 222 respectively and obviate the use of grippers 22.

Chair 10 may be provided with modified stacking feet 132 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Feet 132 may be secured .to legs 14 in the manner discussed with respect to feet 32, :or they may not have laterally extending knobs and be secured directly to the underside of the seat member by any suitable means. The feet 132 may extend forwardly from the zone of attachment of legs 14 as shown in FIG. 10 to insure that the center of gravity of each stacked chair is to the rear of the Weight-bearing bottom surface 136 of the foot. Thus, any inclination of the chairs to tilt will be toward the upright back portion of the chair upon which it is stacked. The back portion supports the upper chair and even a very tall stack of chairs will be quite stable without any tendency to tip over.

It should be noted that feet 132 are provided with a forward and downwardly extending web portion 134 which portion carries the weight of the stacked chair and also serves as a guard to cover the upper ends of legs 14. Without such a guard, the open ends would be somewhat unsightly, dangerous and open to having foreign materials enter the tubular legs 14.

A modified form of book means is shown in FIG. 11 and includes a brace 117 secured to and extending between each of the hooks 116. Hook mean 115 may be formed from a unitary piece of strap metal, suitably shaped and secured to legs 14 by welding or other suitable means. The brace serves to keep legs 14 from spreading and keeps hook 116 in proper position for use in securing two chairs together.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letter Patent is:

1. A chair adapted to be selectively disposed in stacked relationship with another, similar chair comprising? a seat member;

a frame having a continuous element underlying said said feet being secured to a respective pair of legs on the inner side of said element. 3. A chair adapted to be selectively disposed in stacked relationship with a second similar chair including:

tending downwardly therefrom with the legs of each 5 a seat member having an outer periphery; pair converging as the seat member is approached, a frame supporting the seat; one of the legs of each pair having a laterally exleg means secured to said frame; and tending tubular portion adjacent to said seat member a pair of stacking feet secured to said leg means adjaand to the inner side of the element; and cent to said outer periphery of the seat member and a stacking foot for each pair of legs respectively, each 10 depending from said leg means, said feet being disfoot including a web having a knob extending lateralposed to engage the upper surface of the seat member 1y therefrom, said knob being telescoped in said tubuf said second chair when said chairs are stacked, l-ar portion of the corresponding pair of legs to interthereby holding said frame spaced above said upconnect said web therewith, said feet depending from P sur face of Said Second Chair, whereby Said Chairs respective tubular portions and being disopsed to eny b6 Stacked Without damage to said pp Suffaw gage the upper surface of the seat member of said y Said frame, each of Said feet including a W other chair when said chairs are stacked, thereby having a knob extending laterally from the pp end holding said frame spaced above said upper surface {her/30f, Said leg means including a laterally extendf id th h i whereby id h i may b ingtubular portion adjacent said seat member, said stacked without damage to said upper surface by said knob being telescoped in Said Portion interconf 7 nect said web therewith, each foot having a flat, bot- 2. A chair adapted to be selectively disposed in stacked tom face, Said faces of d feet being normally horirelationship with a second similar chair including: ZOIltallY disposed when the chairs are Stackeda seat member having an outer periphery;

a frame supporting the seat; References Cited by the Examiner leg means secured to said frame; and UNITED STATES PATENTS a pair of stacking feet secured to sald leg means adjacent to said outer periphery of the seat member 2390878 12/1945 Greltzer 248-165 and depending from said leg means, said feet being 2747654 5/1956 et 297 452 disposed to engage the upper surface of the seat 2845 7/1958 j et a1 297232 member of said second chair when said chairs are 2970635 2/1961 Flelds stacked, thereby holding said frame spaced above 2,990,007 6/1961 Kessler said upper surface of said second chair, whereby 3031227 4/1962 Van Buren 297-239 said chairs may be stacked without damage to said 3061374 10/1962 Grosfillex 297457 upper surface by said frame, said leg means includ- $120,407 2/1964 Propst 297 457 ing a pair of legs at each side of said seat member, FOREIGN PATENTS the legs of each pair converglng as the seat member is approached and being joined together adjacent to 912,393 5/1954 ysaid frame, said feet being secured to respective pairs v575,965 3/ 1946 Great Britain.

of legs adjacent to the junction thereof, .the frame 40 including a continuous element underlying the seat member at said outer periphery, each pair of legs being secured at their upper ends to said element,

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

F. K. ZUGEL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CHAIN ADAPTED TO BE SELECTIVELY DISPOSED IN STACKED RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER, SIMILAR CHAIR COMPRISING: A SEAT MEMBER; A FRAME HAVING A CONTINUOUS ELEMENT UNDERLYING SAID SEAT MEMBER AT ITS PERIPHERY AND SUPPORTING THE SAME; A PAIR OF LEGS FOR EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT MEMBER RESPECTIVELY, SAID LEGS BEING SECURED TO SAID FRAME AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM WITH THE LEGS OF EACH PAIR CONVERGING AS THE SEAT MEMBER IS APPROACHED, ONE OF THE LEGS OF EACH PAIR HAVING A LATERALLY EXTENDING TUBULAR PORTION ADJACENT TO SAID SEAT MEMBER AND TO THE INNER SIDE OF THE ELEMENT; AND A STACKING FOOT FOR EACH PAIR OF LEGS RESPECTIVELY, EACH FOOT INCLUDING A WEB HAVING A KNOB EXTENDING LATERALLY THEREFROM, SAID KNOB BEING TELESCOPED IN SAID TUBULAR PORTION OF THE CORRESPONDING PAIR OF LEGS TO INTERCONNECT SAID WEB THEREWITH, SAID FEET DEPENDING FROM RESPECTIVE TUBULAR PORTIONS AND BEING DISPOSED TO EN GAGE THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE SEAT MEMBER OF SAID OTHER CHAIR WHEN SAID CHAIRS ARE STACKED, THEREBY HOLDING SAID FRAME SPACED ABOVE SAID UPPER SURFACE OF SAID OTHER CHAIR, WHEREBY SAID CHAIRS MAY BE STACKED WITHOUT DAMAGE TO SAID UPPER SURFACE BY SAID FRAME. 